Make time to remember

I have been fortunate in knowing many interesting individuals, some of whom have been to war.

Within them is a resource called knowledge, extracted through stolen youth, through eyes that have seen too much. Their words will touch one deeply if one cares to listen.

Some recall friends who died in wicked agony, of feet rotting in water-filled trenches, of watching winter gnaw the white death into their bodies, and of spring thaws that revealed comrades lost in battle.

War, I was once told, is feeling the warmth of life tricking past fingers used to plug holes ripped through a friend’s stomach. Some will not talk at all about those horrible recollections, but their glistening eyes tell all too much.

To respect their silence is to feel a little of their pain; to believe we can fully understand would be to dishonour them.

Some tell of always remembering home. To embrace a picture in their mind so as not to lose it, only to feel the grip of sanity slip as they marched by bombed out homes only to see the bodies of the young and old,of children half hidden in the rubble. How can anyone who has not gone through such trials even start to appreciate their grief or agonized dreams?

Too busy in our freedom, we have grown into a society that listens without hearing and views without seeing. Yet if we learn to listen, perhaps we can comprehend the actions that need to be taken to make these tragedies things of the past.

Please take time on Remembrance Day to thank and remember those who made this freedom possible and those around the world still hoping to taste it.

K.F. Ollenberg, Saskatoon

Poppy sign of thanks

Wouldn’t it be great if all the recent immigrants bought and wore a poppy to say thanks to the veterans who made Canada a great country for them to call their new home?

Bob Mumm, Saskatoon

Arrogance unwelcome

Here we go again. What’s with our premiers or government leaders that they become arrogant and averse to the beliefs and wishes of the citizens they are supposed to represent?

Until relatively recently, Premier Brad Wall had almost unprecedented approval ratings. This was because he was sensitive to Saskatchewan people and ensured that his government was supportive of the province’s interests and beliefs. We all benefited, and enjoyed a period of very positive government. Our government operated in an open, transparent fashion.

Why couldn’t that continue? We seem to have entered a period of change. Our premier has become insensitive to citizens. The approach is one of, ” To h— with what people think or want, I know best and I will do as I please.”

Government processes have become scandalous and non-publicized. This has shown up in the SaskTel issue (and perhaps Crowns in general), the Global Transportation Hub scandal, climate change issues, and the direction of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

This is an ongoing thing in Saskatchewan politics. Successful premiers are elected because they are sensitive and responsive, and get defeated when they become arrogant and driven by ideology.

I encourage Wall to lose the arrogance and lose the ideologically driven approach. Provide transparent government where all transactions are above board and directed toward public rather than private welfare.

Our best government occurs when approaches are not too far left or too far right.

Brian Gardiner, North Battleford

Gough earned win

Re: Council is much less colourful with Lorje’s exit (Oct. 29)

How did Hilary Gough, a young, politically inexperienced candidate, defeat a veteran incumbent who has served Saskatoon for more than three decades?

Phil Tank’s column states that Pat Lorje’s reluctance to compromise throughout her career “likely cost her the council seat” she was seeking again. He also says that she defeated herself.

Meanwhile, e-cigarette advocate Rick Siba writes that the vaping lobby is so strong that its members came out in droves and voted anyone-but-Lorje.

Interesting, but in both cases, not likely.

Was Gough’s victory due to a perceived backlash against Lorje? Perhaps, but Gough, her dedicated volunteers and their relentless, energetic campaign had a wee bit to do with it, too. It seems her positive and progressive platform resonated with voters. To their credit, they cast their ballots “for” rather than “against” someone.

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